Coastal sweetpepperbush
Clethra alnifolia
Clethraceae


Landscape Uses:

Natural landscapes, hedges.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Available at native plant nurseries in northeast and central Florida.
Description:
Deciduous shrub 3-10 feet tall spreading by underground stems. Coarse leaves 2-4 inches long. Showy, fragrant flowers.
Height:
Typically 3-8 feet in height. Often almost as broad as tall.
Growth Rate:
Moderate.
Range:
Southeastern United States south to the Florida Panhandle east to Nassau County, and scatted south from Bradford to Polk counties.
Habitats:
Pinelands and coastal scrub
Soils:
Moist to dry, well-drained sandy soils, without humus.
Nutritional Requirements:
Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation.
Drought Tolerance:
High; does not require any supplemental water once established.
Light Requirements:
Full sun to moderate shade.
Flower Color:
White
Flower Characteristics:
Showy.
Flowering Season:
Summer.
Fruit:
Tiny hairy capsule
Wildlife and Ecology:
Attracts pollinators. Provides food for wildlife.
Horticultural Notes:
Difficult to transplant.
Comments:
We have been adding data for this species for central and northern Florida and welcome any feedback or review. If you would like to contribute information or images, please contact George Gann via the IRC staff page. See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page.